Pink-footed Shearwater

Rosafuß shearwater ( Puffinus creatopus )

The Rosafuß shearwater ( Puffinus creatopus ), sometimes also called Yellow-footed Shearwater, a pelagic seabird is of the order Procellariiformes. The species is widespread in the Pacific.

Features

The Rosafuß shearwater has a head-body length of about 48 cm and weighs about 900 g The beak is light pink colored with a black beak, feet and legs also have a pink coloration. The entire body and wing surface is greyish - brown, while the underparts showing a white coloring. The underside of the wing, with the exception of the edges of dark, mostly white, but is varying, grayish brown drawings.

Dissemination

Rosafuß shearwater breed exclusively on the three Chilean islands of Santa Clara, Robinson Crusoe and Isla Mocha, which lie off the west coast of South America. Outside the breeding season the birds lay back considerable distances and fly over large parts of the Pacific region. Observed is the way especially on the American coast. Here, their range extends from southern Alaska to Chile. However, it was seen sporadically even before New Zealand and Australia. A proof is even known by the Argentine Atlantic coast.

Way of life

The Rosafuß shearwater feeds mainly on small fish, such as sardines, and squid. More rarely, crustaceans are consumed. The search for food found in deep sea waters and the continental shelf, less often on the coast instead. The prey is caught by shock diving just below the water surface.

At the beginning of the breeding season from October to November, the birds gather at their breeding grounds (excluding the three Chilean islands Isla Mocha, Robinson Crusoe and Santa Clara) where they form several thousand birds comprehensive breeding colonies. The individual pairs nest on the ground. As nesting sites are crevices, burrows, or the birds nest between exposed roots. Oviposition takes place in December, the young birds fledge in April until early May.

Stock

The IUCN lists the stock of Rosafuß - shearwater as " Vulnerable " on the overall population is therefore considered to be at risk. It is currently out of about 20,000 active breeding pairs, of which more than half breed on Isla Mocha. The world stock of Rosafuß - shearwater is estimated at a maximum of 100,000 individuals. Since the species breeds only on three islands, the total population is accordingly vulnerable to there possibly be held, hazardous environmental changes.